CALPIRG is one of the largest state affiliates of US-PIRG and is a member of the Public Interest Network. The Network’s president, Doug Phelps, chairs the board of CALPIRG.

CALPIRG is also closely connected to the National Association of Organizations in the Public Interest (NAOPI), a 501(c)(4) controlling organization headed by Phelps. In 2003, CALPIRG’s bylaws were amended to reflect NAOPI’s control over its board of directors:[1]

The original Board [of CALPIRG] may be expanded, vacancies on the Board may be filled, and directors may be removed from office with or without cause by a majority vote of the directors then in office, subject to the approval and consent of the Executive Committee or Board of the National Association of Organizations in the Public Interest, Inc. The National Association of Organizations in the Public Interest, Inc. may, by a two-thirds vote of its Board of Directors, expand, fill a vacancy, or remove a director(s) of the corporation from office with or without any action on the part of the Board of the corporation [CALPIRG].

References

California Public Interest Research Group. “Resolution of the Board of Directors of California Public Interest Research Group, Inc. To Amend By-Laws.” Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990) (Amended). 2003. Accessed November 8, 2018. ↩